The NFL pays tribute to September 11th at a packed MetLife Stadium as Aaron Rodgers leaves the stadium with an American flag and the players wear T-shirts with the words “Never Forget.”

  • The Jets and Bills began their seasons Monday night at MetLife Stadium
  • And both teams commemorated the attacks of September 11th
  • DailyMail.com provides the latest international sports news

The Jets and Bills paid tribute to the victims of 9/11 on Monday night on the 22nd anniversary of the attacks.

Star quarterback Aaron Rodgers ran onto the field with an American flag and also wore an FDNY hat.

The teams then observed a moment of silence before NYPD Officer Brianna Fernandez sang the national anthem.

Before Fernandez sang, a giant flag was unfurled on the playing field by police officers, firefighters and members of Tuesday’s Children, a nonprofit organization that helps families affected by terrorism, military conflict and mass violence.

Fernandez thought of her late father Luis, a police officer who was involved in rescue and recovery operations at the site of the collapsed towers. Luis, an avid Jets fan, was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2013 and died the following year.

“It’s an incredible honor to continue like he did,” said Fernandez, 25, an officer in the 9th District in downtown Manhattan and the East Village. “He loved the job.”

Aaron Rodgers ran onto the field before the game with an American flag

Aaron Rodgers ran onto the field before the game with an American flag

Garrett Wilson wore a T-shirt that read “NEVER FORGET” in an American flag

Garrett Wilson wore a T-shirt that read “NEVER FORGET” in an American flag

Quarterback Zach Wilson wore the same jersey before the game began

Quarterback Zach Wilson wore the same jersey before the game began

New York police officer Brianna Fernandez sings the national anthem on Monday evening

New York police officer Brianna Fernandez sings the national anthem on Monday evening

Fans were given wristbands that flashed alternately white and green, and fireworks were set off in the middle of the anthem.

Coaches from both teams wore baseball caps honoring New York City and Port Authority firefighters and police officers.

The Jets’ Garrett Wilson and Zach Wilson were also seen wearing warmup shirts that read “NEVER FORGET” before kickoff.

The words were written on a sideways American flag.

22 years ago today, the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center in New York were hit by two planes in a terrorist attack.

The Pentagon in Washington, D.C. was also hit by a plane, while a fourth plane, also bound for D.C., crashed into a field in Pennsylvania, killing everyone on board.

The death toll reached 2,753 people in New York and 2,977 people overall.

Maureen Mackey

Maureen Mackey is a WSTPost U.S. News Reporter based in London. His focus is on U.S. politics and the environment. He has covered climate change extensively, as well as healthcare and crime. Maureen Mackey joined WSTPost in 2023 from the Daily Express and previously worked for Chemist and Druggist and the Jewish Chronicle. He is a graduate of Cambridge University. Languages: English. You can get in touch with me by emailing: maureenmackey@wstpost.com.

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